Rhynochetos

Rhynochetos is a genus of ground-dwelling birds in the Kagu family. It contains two species, both endemic to New Caledonia, one of which is extinct. Rhynochetos jubatus is the only extant species of this genus and of the family Rhynochetidae. It is closely related to tropic bird of tropical Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans with its closest living relative being the Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias). Currently there are two described species of Rhynochetos, however, it has been suggested that the extinct Rhynochetos orarius and the extant Rhynochetos jubatus are in fact the same species. Kagus are large birds described as something 'between and small heron and a rail'. Adults are about 55 centimetres (22 in) tall with uniform ash-grey plumage with distinct orange-red bills and legs. Characteristic of these birds are long crest feathers. They weigh between 700 and 1,000 grams (25 and 35 oz), with no significant size difference between males and females. Herons can look anatomically similar but can be distinguished by the lack of bare red parts and uniform grey plumage. Kagus are endemic to the small New Caledonia Island in the South Pacific, measuring 8,000 square miles. They inhabit remote, dense tropical forest regions in valleys of the southern mountainous region, as well as tall shrublands in lesser numbers. They tend to avoid shallow shrublands and savannah-grassland habitats. Typically, they require a dense canopy layer as well as a thick litter layer in which they forage for food. The distribution of Kagus over the island is very fragmented due to a very patchy forest cover. The forests lie of ultrabasic rocks, which tend to have less extensive forest cover. On these rocks, forests are restricted to higher altitudes and along water systems. Dry season fires also contribute to decreasing forest cover and thus further fragmentation of Kagu populations. Kagus have distinct sex-specific songs which they sing in the early morning. These songs can carry for distances of up to 2 km. Mating pairs will often sing duets in the early morning, which may be territorial behavior. Males tend to sing more frequently than females, and solitary songs tend to belong to males more often than females. Kagu calls have been described as strange. They have various quiet hissing sounds and rattling calls.